These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life. (1 Jn 5:5-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011025.cfm
As the Wisemen knew, the gifts we bring are in response to the gift we have received—the gift of life in the Son. I am truly grateful to all of you my family and friends who have sent me birthday greetings and prayers. My gift in return is to carry all of you in my prayers and Masses. May God’s abundant blessings beyond all measure be with you and your loved ones in this New Year before us. Today’s photos are from my birthday party with my Colombian family who really treat me like a king.
Beloved, we love God because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 Jn 4:19-5:4)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010925.cfm
We are constantly being reminded of our hypocrisy. To say I love God is a cinch as long as I’m allowed to hate others. Perhaps, one day our eyes will be open to see clearly through the lies we tell others as well as the ones we tell ourselves.
God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. (I Jn 4:11-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010825.cfm
Jesus keeps telling us over and over again, “Don’t be afraid.” The reason of course is that we are perfectly loved (even though we may not always be perfectly lovable!). A mother’s love knows no bounds. I give thanks to my mom today on this my 75th birthday. The photo today is of my mom’s favorite Wiseman. Perhaps you remember The Fourth Wiseman (1985) with Martin Sheen https://youtu.be/82lEsYdPh64?si=O42_3TdCTDTFwJhp.
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might have life through him. (1 Jn 4:7-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010725.cfm
One of the most radical statements of our faith is that God is love. Of course, we have been trying to get around that statement for 2,000 years. For if God is love, then perhaps we may need to treat one another with a lot more compassion. What would the church look like if we really believed that God is love?
And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit whom he gave us. (1 Jn 3:22-4:6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010625.cfm
“Believe in the Lord and love one another” make pretty good advice. Faith hasn’t gotten easier in 2,000 years. Yet we still rejoice in the Word Made Flesh and seek to fulfill his command.
